New Brigantine Police Union Contract Not Signed. Details Unknown

The City of Brigantine has yet to publicly release an approved, signed labor agreement with Brigantine Police officers that was voted on Sept. 2, 2015 by City Council.

As of Jan 26, 2016, a signed Brig PD contract has not been shared by City Hall, even after OPRA requests were filed for it. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it does not exist.

Councilperson McClay did send BrigNOW a copy of the draft agreement. McClay admitted she didn’t have signed copy of final agreement. Brigantine City Clerk Sweeney doesn’t have a signed copy either.

McClay told BrigantineNOW News: Council did approve the contract. It is binding on both sides. The signing should have been done, but doesn’t affect it’s legality.

Most disagree with McClay’s view on the legality of that document. Questions remain on why the Brigantine PBA (Police union) won’t sign off on the agreement. It’s alleged that ‘Terminal Leave’ is the sticking point. The Brigantine PBA wants it raised from 75% to 100%, just like the Brigantine Fire-Fighters recent contract. We have requested a signed copy of the agreement from the city clerk and Councilwoman Lisa McClay. We are still waiting for the document.

Here is what we do know about this ‘yet to be signed’ agreement:

According to reports in the Beachcomber News, a captain who was paid $118,404 in 2014, saw their base pay increased to $121,117 in 2015. They will receive $123,539 in 2016.

Retired City of Brigantine police officers and their spouses are entitled to an annual maximum dental benefit. Previously, that benefit was $600 in 2009, $700 in 2010, and $800 in 2011. For the term of this contract, the retiree and his/her spouse are entitled to $900 annually to be paid at 100 percent.

Longevity pay continues. The employee will receive annually, an additional….

$2,799 after 11 years

$5,599 after 16 years

$8,398 after 21 years

$9,331 after 24 years

Brigantine Councilwoman Lisa McClay noted: “Everyone gets paid for 12 holidays whether they work or not. This is getting rolled over into base pay… why?”

“In addition, if an employee works one of the six ‘premium holidays’ (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas), they get compensated at one and one-half times the employee’s hourly rate of pay for all hours worked on the holiday in addition to a regular day’s pay.”